Ballotpedia's 2013-2014 state legislative election coverage plan

Welcome to Ballotpedia’s one-stop source for information about the 2013 and 2014 state legislative elections. On this page you can find comprehensive, unbiased coverage of candidates and elections, including links to every state’s general election page on Ballotpedia and unique election reporting.

If you have any questions about state legislative elections please contact Tyler King.

Click here for an index of all State Legislature related Ballotpedia reports.

Our coverage

In 2013, we will cover elections in New Jersey and Virginia. A total of 220 seats are up for election in the three chambers with elections. Our 2014 coverage will include elections in 87 state legislative chambers in 46 states. Additionally, Ballotpedia will be covering any special elections in 2013 and 2014.

Our candidate pages

There are two types of candidates: current officials who are running for office and new candidates who do not currently hold an office we cover on Ballotpedia. For all candidates we strive to provide you, our reader, with the following information:

Clear biographical information, including education

Who the candidates is running against and when the elections will be held

Signature filing deadlines

Each state sets the deadline for when candidates must declare for election. Once the filing deadline passes, the state will verify signatures and issue an official list of candidates document. The timing of a document like this varies for each state. Some states will immediately release a document that is an unofficial list of candidates -- meaning it could contain some candidates who ultimately may either withdraw or be disqualified prior to the primary. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will be adding links to these lists and adding names of candidates to election pages within 1-2 weeks of the list being released. Profiles will then be built for the final list of candidates.

However, in other situations, states do not release any compiled list of candidates until weeks or even months have elapsed past the deadline. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will work to build as many candidates profiles based on news reports and direct contact with candidates.

Primary elections

As each primary takes place, Ballotpedia staff will be indicating the winners and losers within 24-48 hours of the primary. Candidates who defeat an opponent in a primary will then have an election box added to the profile.

General election

In the months leading up to the general election, Ballotpedia staff will build profiles of candidates, as well as identify certain “game-changers” or “races to watch.”

On election night, Ballotpedia staff will update election pages with check marks (a) to indicate the winner of the race. We will also indicate which party wins the majority in each of the 86 chambers, with a particular emphasis on the chambers that might have flipped partisan control.

Original analysis

Throughout this presidential election season, Ballotpedia staff will create analysis pages regarding the state legislative races. For example:

Competitiveness analysis. For the fourth consecutive election, Ballotpedia staff will be conducting our competitiveness analysis. This studies analyzes the lists of candidates in state legislative races and provides a competitiveness rating based on three factors -- whether the incumbent is running; whether the incumbent, if running, will face a primary opponent; and finally, if there is a candidate from both major parties appearing on the general election ballot.

Nomination petitions of candidates for Senate and General Assembly must contain the signatures of at least 100 voters in the legislative district. Candidates are required to disclose any criminal convictions.[1]

Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee is $352.80.[2]